Images of an owl and an eagle owl in the traditional worldview of Buryats

The images of an owl and an eagle owl are special among other ornithomorphic images in the traditional cultures of the peoples of Eurasia. These two images have not yet been thoroughly studied by Buryat ethnologists. The purpose of this study is to clarify the complex of Buryat traditional views on these birds. This goal is achieved through characterization of the images of an owl and an eagle owl on the basis of data from the vocabulary and small genres of Buryat folklore and consideration of the mythological perceptions of Buryats of these birds. The source base of the research consists of folklore, linguistic and ethnographic materials. The structural-semiotic method is the main research technique. It is determined that the Buryat denominations of representatives of the owl family contain information about the most distinctive zoological and behavioral features of these birds. The main characteristics of the eagle owl are described small genres of Buryat folklore, which indicates the important role of this bird in the traditional outlook of Buryats. The images of an owl and an eagle owl are ambiguous and characterized by ambivalence of connotation in the mythological views of Buryats. It was found out that the owl and the eagle owl are endowed with the symbolism of the Heaven, and the polar owl is also endowed with the symbolism of water. The eagle owl is linked to the motif of the unfit wife of the mythical lord of birds and the theme of hostility towards him by other birds. The idea of lycanthropy was associated with the owl. A positive attitude towards the eagle owl and the long-eared owl was manifested in the mythological views of the Cis-Baikal Buryats; it was due to the fact that these birds were considered shamans-patrons of infants. The recognition of the owl as the totem by the Buryats of the Ulyaba clan caused veneration of this bird. At the same time, the image of the polar owl as an evil creature was unfavorable. It is shown that certain Buryat traditional ideas concerning the owl and the eagle owl are parallel to the views of other peoples of Eurasia, which proves their universality.